Arne Slot Reveals Alexis Mac Allister's Injury Concerns After Midfielder's Worrying Limp Against Burnley

Arne Slot has disclosed that he harbors no worries regarding the physical condition of midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who was substituted during the second half of Liverpool's 1–0 victory against Burnley following a harsh challenge.

Mac Allister's ankle bore the brunt of a tackle from Burnley's Lesley Ugochukwu, who promptly received the first of two yellow cards for the foul as the Argentine player was visibly hurt on the ground.

The Liverpool playmaker continued for another 30 minutes but was replaced at the interval of the 1–0 triumph—a choice Slot acknowledged was partially influenced by Ugochukwu's challenge.

"Not for tactical reasons, it was somewhat both," Slot clarified. "He missed significant pre-season preparation. He's prepared for one match per week, perhaps 70 to 90 [minutes].

"He completed 90 minutes for Argentina and was genuinely exhausted after 70, so he lacks the proper foundation to handle three matches weekly for 90 minutes. I was always certain I would substitute him around 60 minutes so he'd be prepared to return on Wednesday and Saturday, and I had already made one change in the opening half.

"If I substitute him at 60 minutes, I'd need to make another change, then if I want adjustments at 75 I'd have no options left. That, plus the challenge he experienced. I'm not shocked that he felt that tackle, incidentally.

"It was a blend of both factors. He indicated it was acceptable and sufficient to continue despite limping considerably. That reflects his determination that he could still deliver his peak performance for another 15 minutes."

Goalkeeper Alisson similarly minimized the seriousness of Mac Allister's knock.

"He's an incredibly resilient player," Alisson informed ESPN. "There's nothing seriously wrong with him, he was simply experiencing some discomfort. I believe he's perfectly fine."

Slot will be hoping to have Mac Allister available for Wednesday's Champions League debut against Atlético Madrid, where record acquisition Alexander Isak is anticipated to make his first appearance for the Reds.